Cotton Boomerang

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • ST-V
  • Sega Saturn
    NTSC-J

CottonBoomerang title.png

CottonBoomerang Saturn JP SSTitle.png

Cotton Boomerang
System(s): Sega Titan Video, Sega Saturn
Publisher: Success
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Saturn
SCSP (1 track)
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade (Sega Titan Video)
JP
¥? ?























Sega Saturn
JP
¥4,8004,800 T-9906G
Sega Rating: All Ages

Cotton Boomerang (コットン ブーメラン) is a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up released for the Sega Saturn and Sega Titan Video arcade hardware. It is part of the Cotton series of games. It is a remixed version of Cotton 2, featuring new characters, new enemies, new gameplay mechanics, recolored art, and altered stage layouts.

Gameplay

Cotton Boomerang, Tea Time.png

Tea Time

Cotton Boomerang, Gallery.png

Gallery

The game is a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up that can be played by one player or by two players simultaneously. It is based on Cotton 2 but reworks the stages and abilities. Players choose three characters from a roster comprising three different variations of Cotton, three different variations of Appli, and their companions Silk and Needle. Each character has his or her own magical element and a different shot pattern. Instead of having a health bar, the next character in line replaces the previous one when hit.

The characters move in any direction using the D-Pad. They fire a magical weapon with A. This weapon is unlimited and has a power level between 1 and 5. The power level is increased by collecting the yellow crystals that sometimes appear. The character can unleash an elemental dragon by holding A and then releasing it when the ability is charged. The dragon can penetrate through targets and neutralize projectiles. The character can grab nearby objects, including enemies, with B and throw them with A or B. Grabbed objects can be used as a shield or thrown as a weapon.

The player can change to the next character with C, which also destroys all on-screen enemies and projectiles. Changing characters can only be done a limited number of times, shown as tokens in the bottom-left corner of the screen, but more change tokens can be found in the stages. Each character has his or her own weapon power level. When a character is hit by an enemy or projectile, the character is lost, and the next character in line appears and becomes playable. Lost characters remain lost, but they can revived by finding an item. The game ends if the player loses all three characters, but all three characters can be revived to continue the game at the cost of a credit.

Characters can perform special command shots by inputting special control sequences, similar to a fighting game. Enemies defeated by a command shot become sealed in a magical bubble. The bubble behaves differently based on the current character's magical element. Any other enemies who come in contact with a sealed enemy are destroyed in a chain reaction. Sealed enemies can be picked up and thrown with B like any other enemy, allowing the player to execute long chains of exploding enemies. Characters can grab and throw the bubble multiple times; the bubble eventually detonates if it is not picked up for a while. Keeping the bubble on screen for longer increases the score bonus that it provides when it is finally destroyed. Shooting the bubble also increases the bonus. Sealed enemies also release a health restoring item when they are destroyed, which is larger and heals more if the bubble is kept on screen for longer.

Every stage has a sub-boss and a boss, which are typically composed of multiple segments or generate objects that can set off for chain reactions. Bosses have a time limit, though players progress to the next stage regardless if the boss is not completed in time.

The Saturn version has additional options and modes. There are four selectable difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, Hard, and Hardest). Players can set the number of characters (between 1 and 3) and the number of changes initially allowed. There is also a "Free Play" mode where players have unlimited credits. There are different control schemes for the extra buttons on the control pad: "Command" (the default) maps command shots to the extra buttons, "Rapid" uses the extra buttons for rapid-fire shots, and "None" assigns no functionality to the extra buttons. There is a Gallery mode with high-resolution artwork, and completing the game unlocks additional art. Finishing the game on at least Normal difficulty unlocks a Training mode where the player can chose any stage to play by pausing the game with  START .

Characters

Each character has a different magical element and shot pattern (for the standard shot).

Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Cotton (コットン)
Element:
Fire (炎)
A version of Cotton who shoots fireballs. The shot pattern swirls out and then spreads slightly upward and downward. Cotton is slow but powerful. Sealed enemies bounce on the ground.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Cotton (コットン)
Element:
Wind (風)
A version of Cotton who shoots waves that pass through terrain and home in on nearby foes and increase in size as they travel farther. The shot pattern swirls before shooting straight out. Cotton is slow but powerful. Sealed enemies float into the air.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Cotton (コットン)
Element:
Ice (氷)
A version of Cotton who shoots ice spears that ricochet off surfaces. The shot pattern swirls out and then spreads widely upward and downward. Cotton is slow but powerful. Sealed enemies are encased in ice and can stack on top of each other. They shatter after hitting something.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Appli (アプリ)
Element:
Ice (氷)
A version of Appli who shoots ice spears that ricochet off surfaces. The shot pattern spreads out, then converges. Appli is fast but weak. Sealed enemies are encased in ice and can stack on top of each other. They shatter after hitting something.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Appli (アプリ)
Element:
Wind (風)
A version of Appli who shoots waves that pass through terrain and home in on nearby foes and increase in size as they travel farther. The shot pattern is spread in multiple separate directions. Appli is fast but weak. Sealed enemies float into the air.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Appli (アプリ)
Element:
Fire (炎)
A version of Appli who shoots fireballs. The shot pattern curves upward and downward. Appli is fast but weak. Sealed enemies bounce on the ground.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Silk (シルク)
Element:
Light (光)
Cotton's fairy companion, who shoots piercing laser beams in a tall pattern. Silk is fast but weak. Sealed enemies are pulled to the ceiling.
Cotton Boomerang, Characters.png
Cotton Boomerang, Shot Patterns.png
Needle (二ードル)
Element:
Light (光)
Appli's magical hat, who shoots piercing laser beams in a spread pattern. Needle is slow but strong. Sealed enemies are pulled to the ceiling.

Command shots

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Tornado.png

Tornado Shot (トルネードショット)
Motion:
Left Right A or Y
A large, piercing shot.

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Wide.png

Wide Shot (ワイドショット)
Motion:
Right Left A
A three-way spreadshot.

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Upward Tail.png

Upward Tail Shot (ワイドショット)
Motion:
Left Up-left Up A or L
A fan of four projectiles from 9 to 12 o'clock.

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Downward Tail.png

Downward Tail Shot (ワイドショット)
Motion:
Left Down-left Down A or X
A fan of four projectiles from 9 to 6 o'clock.

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Upward Side.png

Upward Side Shot (サイドショット 上)
Motion:
Right Up-right Up A or R
A fan of four projectiles from 3 to 12 o'clock.

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Downward Side.png

Downward Side Shot (サイドショット 下)
Motion:
Right Down-right Down A or Z
A fan of four projectiles from 3 to 6 o'clock.

Cotton Boomerang, Command Shots, Bomb.png

Bomb
Motion:
Up Up A, Down Down A, Left Left A, or Right Right A
Tosses a bomb.

Items

Cotton Boomerang, Items.png
Crystal (クリスタル)
Increases the level of the character's attack, up to level 5.
Cotton Boomerang, Items.png
Fat Crystal (デブクリスタルは)
Increases the level of the character's attack by 3, up to level 5. These are offered after using a credit to continue the game.
Cotton Boomerang, Items.png
Change (チェンジ)
Gives the player another opportunity to change characters with C, which switches to the next character and destroys all on-screen enemies and projectiles.
Cotton Boomerang, Items.png
Barrier (バリア)
Encases the character in a protective bubble that lasts until it is destroyed by an enemy.
Cotton 2, Items.png
Tea (お茶)
Appears at the end of the stage after defeating the boss. Awards bonus points when collected or shot. The darker-colored tea cups award more points.
Cotton Boomerang, Items.png
Revive
Revives a lost character (losing one weapon level) or awards 50,000 points if the player has not lost a character.
Cotton 2, Items.png
Willow (ウィロー)
Awards bonus points. These items are released by sealed enemies when they are shot. The size of the ball increases the longer the sealed enemy is on screen before it is finally destroyed.

Stages

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-1.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-2.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-3.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-4.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-1.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-2.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-3.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 1-4.png

Ganseki Mountain (ガンセキ・マウンテン)

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-1.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-2.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-3.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-4.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-1.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-2.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-3.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 2-4.png

Aero Castle (エアロ・キャッスル)

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-1.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-2.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-3.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-4.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-1.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-2.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-3.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 3-4.png

Pirate Island (パイレーツ・アイランド)

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-1.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-2.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-3.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-4.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-1.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-2.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-3.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 4-4.png

Piki-Piki Labyrinth (ピキピキ・ラビリンス)

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-1.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-2.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-3.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-4.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-1.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-2.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-3.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 5-4.png

Achichichi Canyon (アチチチ・キャニオン)

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-1.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-2.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-3.png

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-4.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-1.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-2.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-3.png

  • Cotton Boomerang, Stage 6-4.png

Abekobe Palace (アベコベ・バレス)

Cotton Boomerang, Stage 7.png

Tick-Tock Space (チクタク・スペース)
The last stage consists solely of a fight against the final boss, Wool.

History

Legacy

In 2021, the Saturn versions of Cotton 2 and Cotton Boomerang were included alongside Guardian Force as part of the Cotton Guardian Force Saturn Tribute compilation for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 by City Connection. These versions include added features such as rapid-fire and online rankings. The collection was given a limited physical release by Strictly Limited Games.[3]

Production credits

  • コットン: 嶋崎 はるか
  • アプリ: 横手 久美子
  • シルク: Hiro-P
  • ニードル: Kakkin
MAGICAL NIGHT DREAMS COTTON Boomerang STAFF
  • プログラム: 初山 勝, 江川野 誉至
  • グラフィック: 福田 誠弘, 甲木 稔久
  • サウンド: 平田 健一
  • 営業・広報: 赤間 智恵, 平田 ひろみ
  • スペシャル サンクス: 長尾 ゆかり, 劉 向東
  • Presented by: Success
Source:
In-game credits
Cotton Boomerang Saturn credits.pdf
[4]


Magazine articles

Main article: Cotton Boomerang/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Titan Video version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Arcade (Sega Titan Video)
N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Cotton Boomerang

Sega Titan Video, JP
CottonBoomerang STV JP Cart.jpg
Cart

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[5]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
70
[6]
Sega Magazin (DE) NTSC-J
79
[7]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
70
[8]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
83
[9]
Sega Saturn
74
Based on
5 reviews

Cotton Boomerang

Saturn, JP
CottonBoomerang Saturn JP Box Back.jpgCottonBoomerang Saturn JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
CottonBoomerang Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
CottonBoomerang Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
CottonBoomerang Sat JP Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Cotton Boomerang/Technical information.

References


Cotton Boomerang

CottonBoomerang title.png

Main page | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information


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Cotton games for Sega systems
Arcade
Cotton (1991) | Cotton 2 (1997) | Cotton Boomerang (1998)
Sega Mega Drive
Panorama Cotton (1994)
Sega Saturn
Cotton 2 (1997) | Cotton Boomerang (1998)
Sega Dreamcast
Rainbow Cotton (2000)